SBVC 16-Smack sweep qualifying pool to earn Division 1 status

Mackenzie Goss (88) and Emily Allen of the SBVC 15-Smack combine to stuff a Club Sunshine hitter in a Division 1 match. (Photo by Steven Goss)

The Santa Barbara Volleyball Club’s 16-Smack earned Division 1 status by going 3-0 in pool play in the final Southern California Volleyball Association qualifying tournament in Anaheim.The team beat Saddleback Valley 16-Trazi 25-10, 25-16, Orange County 16-Blue 25-13 25-18, and Westside Warriors 25-18, 25-20.“The girls had incredible energy and teamwork throughout the day,” coach Jake Hong said. “Everyone played a critical part at one point during the day and stepped up when the … [Read more...]

SBVC 14-Smack wins five matches at Junior Nationals

Santa Barbara Volleyball Club's 15-Smack celebrate a victory at the USA Volleyball Junior Nationals.

After a rough start, the Santa Barbara Volleyball Club’s 14-Smack won five of its last six matches and finished 23rd in the open division at the USA Volleyball Junior Nationals in Atlanta.The team lost its first three matches in the tournament and suffered a blow when setter Lexi Rottman injured her ankle chasing after a ball.Santa Barbara turned things around on Day 2. Rottman returned to the lineup with a taped ankle and helped the team beat Ohio’s Circle City, Ka Ulukoa of Hawaii … [Read more...]